The short answer
Confirm this valerian product’s species before using it with imipramine. The root inventory name does not establish which evidence applies.
What this answer covers
Radix et Rhizoma Valerianae species unresolved; V. officinalis evidence is conditional on confirmation.
- Supplement or preparation
- Radix et Rhizoma Valerianae
- Medication ingredient
- imipramine
Identify the root product
Ask the pharmacist to confirm the Latin species, root or rhizome, extract and other ingredients. A generic valerian-root name is not enough to establish Valeriana officinalis.
Apply guidance only if the product matches
NCCIH advises against Valeriana officinalis with sedatives because sleep-inducing effects are possible. That is conditional guidance, not a study of an unknown valerian root.
A timing rule does not resolve missing identity
The evidence does not establish a safe dose gap or quantify extra sleepiness with this exact product. Bring the packaging for review.
Watch for impaired alertness
Imipramine can affect alertness and coordination. Avoid driving if affected and contact the prescriber if added sleepiness, confusion or unsteadiness appears after a new product. Severe confusion, fainting or inability to wake needs urgent assessment.
Evidence and practical considerations
Side effects & toxicity
Identity review and conditional alertness caution are appropriate, but an exact unidentified-root interaction remains insufficiently established.
- Exact scope
- Radix et Rhizoma Valerianae species unresolved; V. officinalis evidence is conditional on confirmation. with Exact oral imipramine hydrochloride tablets. RxNorm IN 5691/PIN 150816 hydrochloride; pamoate capsule is not assumed the same tested formulation. Desipramine metabolite evidence is distinguished from directly prescribed imipramine.
- Medication form and route
- oral
- Timing or duration
- Source-specific single-dose, repeated-dose and observational exposures distinguished.
What remains uncertain
- No exact human co-use trial identified; unidentified species, preparation and dose prevent a blanket conclusion.
Factors that may matter: preparation and plant part; clinical indication; dose; other medicines; baseline alertness.
Read the supporting source summaries
Source 1: current product label
dailymed.nlm.nih.gov · Source check Sep 10, 2026
Population: People prescribed oral imipramine.
Exact label warns about anticholinergic and sympathomimetic co-use, alcohol-related CNS effects and MAOI combinations. It does not explicitly name tryptophan, St John’s wort or serotonin syndrome.
How this applies: RxNorm IN 5691/PIN 150816 hydrochloride; pamoate capsule is not assumed the same tested formulation. Desipramine metabolite evidence is distinguished from directly prescribed imipramine.
No universal supplement interval, event rate or preparation equivalence established. Original label distinguishes warnings from measured pair-specific results.
Source 2: official guidance
nccih.nih.gov · Source check Sep 10, 2026
Population: People considering the specified supplement.
Possible but unproven sleep-inducing effect; advises against use with alcohol or sedatives. Mental dullness can occur; long-term safety is uncertain.
How this applies: Preparation-specific original evidence; no untested antidepressant or route transfer.
No imipramine interaction trial. Chronic use can be followed by withdrawal symptoms when stopped abruptly.
Research assessment: · Open full citations ↗
Review and change history
- Publication status
- Published research summary
- Clinical review
- Not yet recorded
| Date | Update |
|---|---|
| Article prepared | |
| Current exact available claims adjudicated using original captures and explicit identity and comparator limits. | |
| Research summary published |
Article revision: fa80cea288698a42
This guide brings together the evidence records used by our interaction checker. Each finding retains its own preparation limits, research date, and source summaries.
Full citations require verification. Reading this answer and the source summaries does not.
Taking other supplements or medications?
Use the checker to explore your other combinations. Ask a pharmacist to review the exact products, amounts and medical conditions in your complete list.
Open the interaction checkerInformation, not medical advice. Do not change prescribed treatment based on this guide.